July 9th Happy Birthday to Jimmy Smits, Tom Hanks, and Fred SavageToday is Monday, July 9, the 191st day of 2012. There are 175 days left in the year.

Holidays and observances: Constitution Day (Australia), Constitution Day (Palau), Constitutionalist Revolution Day (São Paulo), Independence Day (Declaration of independence of the United Provinces of South America by the Congress of Tucuman in Argentina in 1816), Independence Day (South Sudan).
Feast days: Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahai Faith), Nunavut Day (Nunavut), Caprotinia (Roman Empire), Agilulfus of Cologne, Everilda, Blessed Marija Petkovic, Martyr Saints of China, Martyrs of Gorkum, Our Lady of Peace (Octave of the Visitation), Veronica Giuliani (Italian Capuchin nun and mystic).

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 9, 1962, the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles began exhibiting pop artist Andy Warhol's now-famous set of 32 paintings of Campbell's soup cans.

On this date:
In 455, Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
In 491, Odoacer makes a night assault with his Heruli guardsmen, engaging Theodoric the Great in Ad Pinetam. Both sides suffer heavy losses, but in the end Theodoric forces Odoacer back into Ravenna.
In 869, A magnitude [sign in to see URL] earthquake and subsequent tsunami strikes the area around Sendai in the northern part of Honshu, Japan.
In 1357, Emperor Charles IV assists in laying the foundation stone of Charles Bridge in Prague.
In 1386, The Old Swiss Confederacy makes great strides in establishing control over its territory by soundly defeating the Archduchy of Austria in the Battle of Sempach.
In 1540, England's King Henry VIII had his 6-month-old marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, annulled.
In 1572, Nineteen Catholics suffer martyrdom for their beliefs in the Dutch town of Gorkum.
In 1701, War of the Spanish Succession: Austrians defeat France in the Battle of Carpi.
In 1745, War of the Austrian Succession: French victory in the Battle of Melle allows them to capture Ghent in the days after.
In 1755, French and Indian War: Braddock Expedition, British troops and colonial militiamen are ambushed and suffer a devastating defeat by French and Native American forces.
In 1776, George Washington ordered the Declaration of Independence to be read out loud to members of the Continental Army in New York, New York for the first time.
In 1789, In Versailles, the National Assembly reconstitutes itself as the National Constituent Assembly and begins preparations for a French constitution.
In 1790, Russo-Swedish War: Second Battle of Svensksund, in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Navy captures one third of the Russian fleet.
In 1793, The Act Against Slavery is passed in Upper Canada and the importation of slaves into Lower Canada is prohibited.
In 1807, The Treaties of Tilsit are signed by Napoleon I of France and Alexander I of Russia.
In 1810, Napoleon annexes the Kingdom of Holland as part of the First French Empire.
In 1811, Explorer David Thompson posts a sign at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers (in modern Washington state, US), claiming the land for the United Kingdom.
In 1815, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord becomes the first Prime Minister of France.
In 1816, Argentina declares independence from Spain.
In 1821, 470 prominent Cypriots including Archbishop Kyprianos are executed in response to Cypriot aid to the Greek War of Independence
In 1850, the 12th president of the United States, Zachary Taylor, died after serving only 16 months of his term. (He was succeeded by Millard Fillmore.)
In 1850, The Persian prophet Báb is executed in Tabriz, Persia.
In 1863, American Civil War: the Siege of Port Hudson ends.
In 1868, The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified guaranteeing African Americans full citizenship and all persons in the United States due process of law.
In 1875, Outbreak of the Herzegovina Uprising against Ottoman rule, which would last until 1878 and have far-reaching implications throughout the Balkans
In 1877, The inaugural Wimbledon Championships opens.
In 1896, William Jennings Bryan delivers his Cross of Gold speech advocating bimetallism at the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
In 1900, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom gives Royal Assent to an Act creating Australia thus uniting separate colonies on the continent under one federal government.
In 1900, Boxer Rebellion: The Governor of Shanxi province in North China orders the execution of 45 foreign Christian missionaries and local church members, including children.
In 1918, Great Train Wreck of 1918: in Nashville, Tennessee, an inbound local train collides with an outbound express killing 101 and injuring 171 people, making it the deadliest rail accident in United States history.
In 1922, Johnny Weissmuller swims the 100 meters freestyle in 58.6 seconds breaking the world swimming record and the 'minute barrier'.
In 1932, The state of São Paulo revolts against the Brazilian Federal Government, starting the Constitutionalist Revolution
In 1943, World War II: Operation Husky, Allied forces perform an amphibious invasion of Sicily.
In 1944, World War II: Battle of Normandy, British and Canadian forces capture Caen, France.
In 1944, World War II: Battle of Saipan, American forces take Saipan in the Mariana Islands.
In 1944, World War II: Battle of Tali-Ihantala, Finland wins the Battle of Tali-Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in northern Europe. The Red Army withdraws its troops from Ihantala and digs into defensive position, thus ending the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive.
In 1947, the engagement of Britain's Princess Elizabeth to Lt. Philip Mountbatten was announced.
In 1947, The Distinguished Service Cross was established by an Act of Congress.
In 1951, President Harry S. Truman asked Congress to formally end the state of war between the United States and Germany. (An official end to the state of war was declared in October 1951.)
In 1955, The Russell–Einstein Manifesto is released by Bertrand Russell in London, England, United Kingdom.
In 1958, Lituya Bay is hit by a megatsunami. The wave is recorded at 524 meters high, the largest in recorded history.
In 1961, Turkish voters approve the Turkish Constitution of 1961 in a referendum.
In 1972, The Troubles: In Belfast, British Army snipers shoot five civilians dead in the Springhill Massacre.
In 1974, former U.S. Chief Justice Earl Warren died in Washington, D.C. at age 83.
In 1979, A car bomb destroys a Renault motor car owned by famed "Nazi hunters" Serge and Beate Klarsfeld at their home in France. A note purportedly from ODESSA claims responsibility.
In 1982, Pan Am Flight 759, a Boeing 727, crashed in Kenner, La., killing all 145 people aboard and eight people on the ground.
In 1986, the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography released the final draft of its report, which linked hard-core porn to sex crimes.
In 1986, The Parliament of New Zealand passes the Homosexual Law Reform Act legalizing homosexuality in New Zealand.
In 1992, Democrat Bill Clinton tapped Tennessee Sen. Al Gore to be his running mate. Former CBS News commentator Eric Sevareid died in Washington at age 79.
In 1995, The Navaly church bombing is carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force killing 125 Tamil civilian refugees.
In 1999, Days of student protests begin after Iranian police and hardliners attack a student dormitory at the University of Tehran.
In 2006, At least 122 people are killed after a Sibir Airlines Airbus A310 passenger jet, carrying 200 passengers veers off the runway while landing in wet conditions at Irkutsk Airport in Siberia.
In 2008, Iran conducts the Great Prophet III missile test and war games exercise.

Ten years ago: The Senate voted to entomb thousands of tons of radioactive waste inside Yucca Mountain in the Nevada desert, rejecting the state's fervent protests. Speaking in New York, President George W. Bush called for doubled prison terms and aggressive policing to combat fraud and corruption in corporate America. African leaders launched the African Union. Baseball's All-Star game in Milwaukee finished in a 7-7 tie after eleven innings when both teams ran out of pitchers. Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger died in Los Angeles at age 77.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush directed former aides to defy congressional subpoenas, claiming executive privilege in resisting Congress' investigation into the firings of U.S. attorneys. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., whose telephone number had been disclosed by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the alleged "D.C. Madam," said in a statement he was sorry for a "serious sin" and that he'd already made peace with his wife. A jury convicted four Muslim militants of plotting to bomb London's public transport system. Character actor Charles Lane, 102, died in Santa Monica, Calif.

One year ago: South Sudan became the world's newest nation, officially breaking away from Sudan after two civil wars over five decades that had cost millions of lives. During his first visit to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that al-Qaida's defeat was "within reach." Derek Jeter homered for his 3,000th hit, making him the first player to reach the mark with the New York Yankees.

Re: July 9thToday is Tuesday, July 9, the 190th day of 2013. There are 175 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:
On July 9, 1943, during World War II, the Allies launched Operation Husky, their invasion of Sicily, with nighttime landings of American and British troops; a full-scale incursion by sea began in the small hours of July 10. (More than a month later, the Allies secured the island from the Axis.)

One year ago: Facing sagging jobs numbers, President Barack Obama sought to recast the November election as a fight over tax fairness, urging tax cut extensions for all families earning less than $250,000 but denying them to households making more than that. The remains of 6 U.S. airmen lost over Laos in 1965 were laid to rest in a single casket at Arlington National Cemetery. Detroit’s Prince Fielder became only the second player, after Ken Griffey Jr., to win multiple titles in the All-Star Home Run Derby, thrilling the crowd at Kauffman Stadium with eight splash shots into the right-field fountain and beating Toronto’s Jose Bautista 12-7 in the final.

Re: July 9thToday is Wednesday, July 9, the 190th day of 2014. There are 175 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 9, 1944, during World War II, American forces secured Saipan as the last Japanese defenses fell.

Ten years ago: A Senate Intelligence Committee report concluded the CIA had provided unfounded assessments of the threat posed by Iraq that the Bush administration had relied on to justify going to war. The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel's planned security barrier in the West Bank violated international law (Israel disregarded the ruling and continued building the barrier). Paul Klebnikov, the American editor of Forbes magazine's Russian edition, was gunned down near his Moscow office. Actress Isabel Sanford died in Los Angeles at age 86.

Five years ago: The Group of Eight industrialized nations opened their summit in L'Aquila, Italy, to Group of Five developing countries Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, as well as Egypt. The Dutch government turned over dozens of antiquities stolen from Iraq to Baghdad's ambassador. Byrd and Melanie Billings, a wealthy couple in Escambia County, Florida, were murdered during a home invasion robbery (seven men were later convicted for their roles in the killings; one was sentenced to death as the ringleader). Michael Phelps broke the then-world record in the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. national championships in Indianapolis, swimming the two-lap final in [sign in to see URL] seconds.

One year ago: Egypt's military-backed interim leader, Adly Mansour, named economist Hazem el-Beblawi as prime minister, ending days of political deadlock. Francesco Schettino, the former captain of the luxury liner Costa Concordia, went on trial for the 2012 shipwreck off Giglio that claimed 32 lives. A massive memorial service in Arizona honored 19 members of the Prescott-based Granite Mountain Hotshots who died when a wind-fueled, out-of-control fire overran them. Defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Chris Chelios, along with forward Brendan Shanahan, were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame; they were joined in the class of 2013 by Geraldine Heaney, the third woman to be enshrined in the hall, and the late Fred Shero, the coach who'd led the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup in 1974 and '75.

Re: July 9th Happy Birthday to Jimmy Smits, Tom Hanks, and Fred SavageToday is Thursday, July 9, the 190th day of 2015. There are 175 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 9, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to Gen. George Washington's troops in New York.

Ten years ago: A purported Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan said the group had beheaded a missing American commando, but he offered no proof and the U.S. military said it was still searching for the Navy SEAL. (The body of the commando was found the next day; officials said it appeared he died as a result of fighting, and was never abducted.) Hurricane Dennis dealt a glancing blow to the Florida Keys. A panda cub, later named Tai Shan (ty shawn), was born at the National Zoo in Washington.

Five years ago: The largest [sign in to see URL] spy swap since the Cold War took place on a remote stretch of Vienna airport tarmac as planes from New York and Moscow arrived within minutes of each other with 10 Russian sleeper agents and four prisoners accused by Russia of spying for the West.

One year ago: President Barack Obama began a two-day visit to Texas, where he met with state officials, including Gov. Rick Perry, to discuss the influx of unaccompanied children at the [sign in to see URL] border. Stephen and Katie Stay and four of their five children were shot to death at their suburban Houston home; the couple's 15-year-old daughter, who survived by playing dead, identified the shooter as her aunt's ex-husband, Ronald Lee Haskell, who faces multiple charges of capital murder. Modeling agency founder Eileen Ford, 92, died in Morristown, New Jersey.

Re: July 9th Happy Birthday to Jimmy Smits, Tom Hanks, and Fred SavageToday is Saturday, July 9, the 191st day of 2016. There are 175 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 9, 1816, Argentina declared independence from Spain.

Ten years ago: S7 Airlines Flight 778, a Russian Airbus A310, crashed in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, killing 125 of 203 people on board. In a penalty-plagued final, Italy won the World Cup soccer title with a penalty shootout over France after a 1-1 draw. Roger Federer ended a five-match losing streak to Rafael Nadal, winning 6-0, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (2), 6-3 to earn his fourth straight Wimbledon title.

Five years ago: South Sudan became the world's newest nation, officially breaking away from Sudan after two civil wars over five decades that had cost millions of lives. During his first visit to Afghanistan as Pentagon chief, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that al-Qaida's defeat was "within reach." Derek Jeter homered for his 3,000th hit, making him the first player to reach the mark with the New York Yankees, who defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-4.

One year ago: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley relegated the Confederate flag to the state's "relic room" after the legislature passed a measure removing the flag from the grounds of the Statehouse in the wake of the slaughter of nine African-Americans at a church Bible study. The Obama administration said hackers had stolen Social Security numbers, health histories and other highly sensitive data from more than 21 million people, acknowledging that the breach of U.S. government computer systems was far more severe than previously disclosed. Saudi Arabia's Prince Saud al-Faisal, who had been the world's longest-serving foreign minister with 40 years in the post until his retirement earlier in the year, died at age 75.

Re: July 9th Happy Birthday to Jimmy Smits, Tom Hanks, and Fred SavageToday is Sunday, July 9, the 190th day of 2017. There are 175 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 9, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to Gen. George Washington's troops in New York.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush directed former aides to defy congressional subpoenas, claiming executive privilege in resisting Congress' investigation into the firings of U.S. attorneys. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., whose telephone number was disclosed by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the so-called "D.C. Madam," said in a statement he was sorry for a "serious sin" and that he'd already made peace with his wife. A jury convicted four Muslim militants of plotting to bomb London's public transport system. Character actor Charles Lane, 102, died in Santa Monica, Calif.

Five years ago: Facing sagging jobs numbers, President Barack Obama sought to recast the November election as a fight over tax fairness, urging tax cut extensions for all families earning less than $250,000 but denying them to households making more than that. The remains of 6 U.S. airmen lost over Laos in 1965 were laid to rest in a single casket at Arlington National Cemetery. Detroit's Prince Fielder became only the second player, after Ken Griffey Jr., to win multiple titles in the All-Star Home Run Derby, thrilling the crowd at Kauffman Stadium with eight splash shots into the right-field fountain and beating Toronto's Jose Bautista 12-7 in the final.

One year ago: President Barack Obama wrapped up his visit to the NATO summit in Warsaw before heading to Madrid for a visit cut short because of violence back home, where five Dallas police officers had been killed by a sniper and two black men were left dead at the hands of police. Serena Williams won her record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title by beating Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final and pulling even with Steffi Graf for the most major championships in the Open era, which began in 1968.

Re: July 9th Happy Birthday to Jimmy Smits, Tom Hanks, and Fred SavageToday is Monday, July 9, the 190th day of 2018. There are 175 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 9, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to Gen. George Washington's troops in New York.

10 years ago in 2008: Citing new DNA tests, prosecutors cleared JonBenet Ramsey's parents and brother in the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old beauty queen in Boulder, Colo. Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, battling a brain tumor, walked into the Senate to cast a dramatic vote in favor of long-stalled Medicare legislation. Iran test-fired nine missiles, including ones capable of hitting Israel. Gunmen stormed a guard post at the [sign in to see URL]. consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, touching off a firefight that killed three police officers and three assailants.

5 years ago in 2013: Egypt's military-backed interim leader, Adly Mansour, named economist Hazem el-Beblawi as prime minister, ending days of political deadlock. Francesco Schettino, the former captain of the luxury liner Costa Concordia, went on trial for the 2012 shipwreck off Giglio that claimed 32 lives. A massive memorial service in Arizona honored 19 members of the Prescott-based Granite Mountain Hotshots who died when a wind-fueled, out-of-control fire overran them. Defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Chris Chelios, along with forward Brendan Shanahan, were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame; they were joined in the class of 2013 by Geraldine Heaney, the third woman to be enshrined in the hall, and the late Fred Shero, the coach who'd led the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup in 1974 and '75.

1 year ago in 2017: A cease-fire arranged by the United States, Russia and Jordan took effect in three war-torn provinces of southern Syria. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi celebrated with Iraqi troops in Mosul after they drove Islamic State militants from some of their last strongholds.